Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-04-27

He passed two years in the study Of law,
and then entered q banking house at
Peterhead in the position of an apprentice
to the business: In May, 1889, Mr.. Mitchell,
United States, and settled in Milwaukee,
then q village of about 1900 inhabitants
An A~berdeenshire man, possibly q relative,
George Smith by name, had come hither
SIX years before to represent the interests
company, and, in the prosecution of their
business, had become thoroughly acquainted
with the wants of the Western country.
After some hesitation between Chicago
and Milwaukee,. which we're then towns Of
about the same size and with about equal pro-
mise Of future growth, Mr.. Smith decided to
establish a banking house in Milwaukee,,
and calling young Mitchell to his aid, the
two obtained from the territorial legisla-
ture of Wisconsin a charter authorizing
them to establish a company to insure
against fire and marine losses, to receive de-
posts, issue certificates and lend money.
They began business as the Wisconsin Ma
rlne and Fire Insurance company, and were
wonderfully successful from the start.
The bank was a great success and con-
The story of his life, is the history of Mil
waukee, the Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul railway system, and to a large extent
of Wisconsin, Iowa and Dakota. Railroad
construction was begun in Wisconsin in
ACOlS Wy WI po4 1CAOHo$ OpC1oCOu i.
dependentlv and all non-paying properties.
Through Mr.. Mitchell's efforts the bond
holders of the various jeopardized lines as
ISOLATED themselves together in a corporate
capacity to protect the property and i'm
prove it. The Milwaukee Il st. Paul Rail-
and in it were merged all the roads and
their branches, Mr.. Mitchell being elected
president. Gradually other lines in Wis
consin, Iowa and Minnesota were added,
and in 1874 the corporation was changed to
To Mr.. Mitchell's fine Engagement, aided
by S. S. Merrill and his associates, is due
the success of this vast railway enterprise.
Mr.. Mitchell! was in politics first a Wing.
then a Republican and a firm supporter Of
he supported Horatio Seymour, Democratic
candidate for president. Heran as a Demo-
crat for congress in 1868 in the First Wis
consin District, but was defeated. In 1870
he ran again and was elected, and reelected
in 1872. At the national Democratic con-
vention in 1876 he supported Tilden. In
1879 he declined the Democratic nomination
for governor. He for years held many posi-
tons Of honor and trust. In religion he
was a Presbyterian for some time. but lat
terly was vestryman Of st. James Episcopal
church, Milwaukee. Mr. Mitchell was mar
daughter Of Seth Reed, one of the pioneers
of Milwaukee, and Of New England origin.
Six children were born to them, but five Of
these died in ~infancy--John l.. Mitchell, the
survivor, being chairman of the Democratic
state central committee.
In his personal life he was most un-
ostentacious, easy Of approach and simple
in his habits of life. With genuine Scotch
nature he always retained his love for
athlethic sports, and was a patron of
curling and of the annual games of the st.
Andrews society. He wa rather short
and haavv-set. with fnll face. with heard
around beneath his jaw entirely surround
ing the face. The maximum estimate upon
his estate is $12, O00, 900, though it may not
quite reach that sum, and the greater
amount thereof is in his bank property and
real estate holdings.